raising the debt ceiling does not authorize more spending. it simply allows the country to pay for spending that congress has already committed to. >> and of course republicans tried to trick americans into believing the debt ceiling was a blank check or magic credit card for the president to go spend whatever he wanted to spend. of course, the united states constitution gives the power to tax and spend to the congress, and the congress alone. our current deficit is the result of money congress has already borrowed. president obama explained to the american people today how republicans in congress are trying to avoid doing their actual jobs. >> these are bills that have already been racked up. and we need to pay them. so while i'm willing to compromise and find common ground over how to reduce our deficits, america cannot afford another debate with this congress about whether or not they should pay the bills they've already racked up. >> if the american people do not catch on to the severity of all of this, of defaulting on our debts, the cou